Propelling mechanism for boats.



. PATBNTED JAN. 13, 1903.

D. R. SHEEN. PROPELLING MBCHANISM FOR BOATS.

APPLIGATION FILED .TUNE 7, 19042.

No MODEL.

TH: mams Pneus 0o. vnprournaN/Asmnmon, Die.

NTTNED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL R. SI-IEEN, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

PROPELLING` IVIECHANISIVI FOR BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,162, dated January 13, 1903. Application filed June 7, 1902. Serial Nc. 110,702. (No modelf* To all when?, it may concern:

Beitknown that I, DANIEL R. SHEEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Boats; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to a new and improved rowing mechanism for boats.

The object ofAmy invention is to produce a rowing apparatus for boats which will permit the rower to face in the direction in which the boat is moving. I have heretofore accomplished this object by various patented devices; but in this case I have made the means for doing this more simple and so arranged that very little surface is exposed to the head Winds, which, as is well known, interferes greatly when rowing.

The object of my invention is to balance the paddles upon carrying-arms, sothat they will travel in a horizontal position after leaving the water until again ready for another stroke.

A further object is to make the apparatus perfectly automatic in its operation, it being merely necessary for the rower to impart a swinging to the cranks which move the paddles.

A still further object is to arrange a peculiar form of oar-swinging device which consists of a curved tube carrying shifting weights, all of which will be described.

Inthe accompanying drawings I illustrate myimproved rowing mechanism.

Figure lis a side `view of a portion of a boat, showing my devicemounted thereon with the paddle in the position occupied when passing from the end of one stroke to the beginning of the next. Fig. 2`is also a side view of a boat, showing thepaddle in position to enter the water. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of one side of a boat, showing my mechanism mounted thereon, but larger in size than shown in the preceding figures. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the rowing` device much enlarged. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a tube, showing a number of spherical weights therein. Fig. 6

is a perspective View of a portion of the device shown inFig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3, showing a clutch for a crank which operates the rowing device. Fig. 8 is an end view of a shaft which carries the oar-paddle, showing a guide thereon.

In the several figures, A represents the boat, and B a bearing of suitable form mounted thereon and adjustable vertically by any good means. In this bearing is mounted a horizontal shaft C, which is enlarged at its outer end and has two depending parallel arms D secured thereto arranged in line with each other, as shown in Fig. 3, and between these is pivoted, by means of a pin E, a paddle-arm F. This paddle-arm carries at its `lower end a paddle or blade G and at its upper end a weight H. Attached tothe paddle-arm is a curved tubel'. by means of an arm .I at each end, each of said arms being attached to said vpaddle-arm F and to the tube I in any good manner. The said tubecontains a number of spherical weights I and is arranged substantially as shown in Figs. l and 2, having one end advanced ahead of the paddle-arm and the other carried behind the said arm,with the middle thereof in line with the pivot E. Between the enlarged outer end of the shaft C and the inner end thereof, Where held bythe bearing B, is a sleeve K, adapted to be shifted on the shaft. Said sleeve carries an arm L, which is carried out at one side and extended in the direction of the end of the shaft and provided with a lug M, adapted to enter a socket N in an angle-piece O, secured to the shaft, as shown in Fig. 4. The sleeve K, with its arm L, is held against turning except with the shaft by means of a feather P, which enters a guide Q, an end view of which is shown in Fig. S. The lug M on the arm L is intended to enter the socket N in the angle O at such times as the paddle-arm is to beheld in a rigid position. A spiral spring R surrounds the shaft C and lies between a washer S at the bearing B, and at the other end against a collar 'Il which in turn bears against the sleeve K. The opening action of said spring normally keeps the sleeve K against the enlarged outer end of the shaft, and in consequence the lug M in the socket Nin the said angle O. The collar T is providedat` each end with an angular rim or lip T', between which, above and below, extend the inturned ends of two IOO arms U, secured to said sleeve K, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be seen that the collar T is free to turn upon the shaft, but cannot move along the shaft without the sleeve K, because held by the portions U j ust described. It becornes necessary at times to shift the sleeve K in order to withdraw lug M from the socket N, and to this end I provide a fork consisting of the arms V, held in rigid relation to one another by means of a ring W or other good means. Each arm is thrust through a hole and held in the ring S, and to the end of each I secure a cord, which passes down over pulleys 2, secured on the bearing B, and thence under pulleys 3, secured to the boat, Fig. 1, Where they are joined together and finally are attached to a treadle 4, pivoted to the inside of the boat, as shown in Fig. 3. The opposite ends of the arms V are secured to the collar T, described, in any suitable manner. It will be seen that by pressure of the treadle 4 the cord will be drawn over the pulleys, thus pulling the arms V, shifting the collar T on the shaft, and withdrawing the lug M from its seat in the socket N. If it is desired that the lug should remain withdrawn, the treadle, which is loosely hinged, is thrust beneath a stop 5, secured to the inside of the boat, and this will hold the parts in this position. When it is desired to return the parts to their normal position, the treadle is released from'the stop andthe spring R returns the sleeve K to its position against the head of the shaft, with the lug M and socket N in engagement. The shaft C is intended to have a rocking movement and at times a revoluble movement within the bearing B, and this is set up by means of crank 6 which is bored out and slides upon the inner end of the shaft. The hub of the crank is provided with a lug 7 at diametrical opposite sides. Secured to the shaft or formed therewith is a collar having sockets 8 to correspond with and receive the lugs 7, as shown in Fig. 7. Said lugs are held in engagement with the sockets by means of a spring 9, which surrounds a pin 10, secured in the end of the shaft, one end of said spring bearing against the head of the pin and the other againsta washer which surrounds the pin and which bears against the crank. Now a swinging movement of the crank will move the arms D and the paddle-arm, as will be understood. Projecting from the bearing B is a pin 11, which extends out in the region of the paddle-arm and carries a spiral spring 12, the end of which is held rigidly at the bearing and the other extending downward into the extension 13, away from the pin 11', as shown in Figs. 1, 8, and 6. Secured to the paddlearm is the lug 17, which projects forward and carries a pivoted latch 14, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. A spring 15 is connected at one end to the said latch and at the other to one of the arms J, before described, said spring acting to keep the latch in itsnormal position, or the position shown in the last-named figures. A stop 16 on the said lug 17 prevents movement of the latch beyond the position shown. The latch thus provided is positioned to meet the extension 13 of the spring 12 on vpin 11, the latter serving to throw the oar Vbackward or toward the right of the ligure with the paddle in the water it will be seen that since the paddle is pivoted at its middle to the arms D its upper end must bear against the shaft and will be held in rigid position thereby while passing through the water during the full swing of the operators crank. Said upper end when approaching the shaft will contact with the extension 13 of the spring l2 by the latch 14 and put the same under tension by twistingit against the opening action thereof. On arriving at the end of the stroke the paddle will pass out of the water by the movement of the crank, and the spring 12 will then force the upper portion of the oar away from the shaft, thus throwing a weight 18, which is secured to the oar in the manner shown, over the center or to the left of the pivot of the oar. This, together with the weight H on the upper end of the oar and the tube I, with its Weights I therein, throws said oar or paddle down to a horizontal position. (Shown in Fig. 1.) It will be observed that when the weight 18 and the weight II begin to overbalance the paddle-arm, so that the lower end of the tube I is raised above the horizontal position, the said weights Within said tube, which have been resting in the lower end thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2, will at once shift to the other end and tip the oar to the position shown in Fig. 1, where by means of a suitable stop 19 the said paddle is prevented moving farther,but will maintain a horizontal position While the crank 6 and the arms D are being moved toward the bow of the boat for another stroke. The stop 19 is merelya projecting arm attached to one of the arms D and projects toward and over the paddle-arm, as shown in the figure. When the arms D reach the position shown in Fig. 2, the stop, which has thus held the paddle-arm from moving farther, will have slightly raised that end of the paddle-arm which carries the weight H to a position where the balls in the tube I will be rolled to the opposite end of said tube or to the lower end as viewed in said Fig. 1. This swings the oar or paddle on its pivot E to bring its upper end against the shaft C, as shown in Fig. 2, where by a pull on the crank, as before, the operation described will be Irepeated. The stop 19 raises' the paddle-arm by reason of the movement of the pivot E in the arc of a circle, as will be understood. Evidently the weights H and 18 will assist in the operation, and while this is taking place the latch 14 will meet and engage the' eX- tremity 13 of the spring 12 and put said spring IOO IIO

throw the paddle-arm awayv from it, as has been explained hereinbefore. This action will continue as long as the treadle 4 is held beneath the stop 5 to keep the lug M withdrawn from the socket N; but when it is desired to propel the boat backward the treadle is removed from beneath the said stop, there-V by allowing the springR to operate to throw the arm L behind the paddlearm F to hold the latter in a xed position; By thus holding the paddle-arm the entire mechanism can be revolved in acomplete circle. When this is done, the crank instead of depending,r within the boat, as shown in Fig. 3, is turned a half-revolution on the shaft after pulling it out of engagement with the notches 8 against the spring 9 and permitting its lugs 7 to reenter the notches, when it will appear as in broken lines in said Fig. This reversal of the handle is merely to permit of operating the mechanism to a full revolution in a more easy manner, since the weight of said mechanism can be more easily handled thereby. In the full revolution of the shaft C all the mechanism attached thereto must turn therewith with the exception of the collar T and the fork composed of the arms V, the former being held from turning by reason of said arms V being secured thereto. My reason for pivoting the latch 14 is that in the full revolution of the paddle said latch will meet the projection 13 of the spring 12 in a backward direction and will freely pass by without catching Without disarranging any of the parts.

I desire to make it understood that I do not conne myself to the particular construction shown and described, and I also further desire to state that by means of the said spring 12 and the tube I with the shifting Weights the device may be operated without the weights H and 18. I provide these weights as additional helps, though they need not be used. If it is desired to back the boat at a moments notice, it` is onlynecessary to release the treadle 4, as has been described, thus locking the oar and simultaneously raising the crank, as has been described, though the latby gravity, in conjunction with the other weights for moving said paddle on its pivot for the purposes described.

2. In arowing mechanism ahorizontalshaft jonrnaled on the boat, a paddle-arm carried thereby at the side of the boat, and a tube attached at the side of the paddle and extending in both directions beyond the pivot thereof, said tube being so located with reference to the pivot of the paddle that the axis of said pivot of the paddle would pass through the tube if projected, and a series of movable gravity-weights within the tube for moving the paddle before its stroke to place it in position for entering the Water, said Weights also adapted for raising and carrying the paddle free of the water at the end of the stroke.

3. In a propelling apparatus for `boats the shaft journaled on the side of the boat, a paddle for propelling the boat, means for pivotally carrying the paddle from said shaft, a' curved tube carried at the side of the paddle,

and shiftable weights within said tube adapted to move from end to end thereof according to the position of the paddle to move said paddle on its pivotal support.

4. In a rowing mechanism a shaft carried horizontally on the boat, a paddle depending at the side of the boat, means for pivotally carrying said paddle from the shaft and means attached at the side of the paddle having a shiftable weight therein adapted to swing the paddle in one direction or the other as the said paddle is moved on its shaft for the purpose described. i

5. In rowing mechanism a horizontal shaft mounted on the side of the boat, depending arms secured to the outer end thereof, a paddle pivoted between the free ends of said arms, a tube secured to the sides of said paddle, and shiftable weights therein for traveling in one direction or the other beyond the pivotal point of support of the paddle for moving the paddle, as and for the purposes Vset forth.

6. In a rowing mechanism a paddle pivotally hung at the side of the boat, means for suspending the same by its pivot, a tube arranged in rigid relation to the paddle, and movable weights therein operated by gravity to move from one end to the other as the paddle is swung and thereby shift the position of the paddle.

7. In arowing mechanism a shaft journaled on the side of the boat, a pair of arms attached to said shaft, a paddle pivoted at its middle to the free ends of said arms, a tube having automatically-shifting Weights therein secured to said paddle with its middle in line with the pivot of the paddle, one end thereof being carried in front of the paddle and the other behind the same substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

S. In a boat-rowing mechanism a horizontal shaft journaled on the side of a boat, a pair of arms secured thereto and depending therefrom, a paddle-arm pivotally suspended be- IOO IIO

tween the lower ends of the arms at its middle, a tube having automatically-shifting weights therein secured to the paddle at one side and crossing the same in line with the pivot of the paddle, said tube forming an angle with the paddle between its ends and the ends of the said paddle.

9. In aboat-rowing mechanism a horizontal shaft journaled on the side of the boat, arms depending from its outer end to move' therewith, a paddle pivoted between the lower ends of the arms at its middle, a tube secured in rigid relation to the paddle-arm substantially yin the position shown, weights therein movable by gravity to swing the paddle on its pivot to shift the same when in its extended position, a weight upon the upper end of the paddle-arm and a weight at the middle thereof secured rigidly thereto and movable only with said paddle, substantially as shown; the

said weights arranged in such relation to the .said paddle-armthat by a movement of the latter at its extreme positions they will as they pass over and beyond the pivotal support of the paddle-arm start the same to move in one direction or the other as set forth,

10. Ina boat-rowing mechanism, a horizontal shaft journaled on the side of the boat, a paddle-arm at the side of the boat and supported from the said shaft by suitable means, said paddle-arm being pivotally held in said supporting means and adapted in one position to bear at its upper end against the shaft and means for locking the paddle-arm in that position whereby the shaft may be revolved through a complete revolution for the purposes described.

11. In a boat-rowing mechanism, a horizontal shaft journaled on the side of the boat, arms attached thereto and depending therefrom and shiftable Weights for moving to one side or the other of the pivotal point cf the said paddle-arm for moving or raising its end from'the water or for throwing the upper end thereof against the shaft, and a spring forintercepting the movement of the paddle-arm and throwing the same open after the end of the stroke.

12. In a boat-rowing mechanism, a horizontal shaft mounted on the side of the boat to both rock and revolve, a pair of arms attached rigidly thereto at the outer end, a paddle-arm pivoted at its middle to the lower end of the arms, movable weights in the region of the paddle-arm operated by gravity, said paddlearm adapted to occupy a horizontal position between strokes its upper end adapted to rest in the region of the said shaft at the beginning of a stroke, and a spring in the region of the shaft for intercepting the said paddle-arm when reaching the position last described, said spring being placed under tension thereby and adapted to throw the oar open at the end of a stroke.

13. In a boat-rowing mechanism, a horizontal shaft at the side of a boat, arms depending.

therefrom, a paddle-arm pivoted to the latter, a tube secured to the paddle-arm substantially inthe position described and shown, movable weights Within the same to overbalance the paddle described, whereby the said paddlearm is moved either to a horizontal position or to a position with its upper end in the region of the shaft, a spring for intercepting the said paddle-arm at its upper end, the same being put under tension by the pressure of the paddle-arm against it when the latter is propelling the boat, said spring operating toy swing the said paddle at the end of the stroke and means for locking the paddle-arm in that position, whereby the entire apparatus may be turned a complete revolution for the purposes described.

14. In a boat-rowing mechanism, a horizontal shaft mounted on the side of the boat, arms depending therefrom, a paddle-arm pivoted to the lower ends thereof, a tube secured to said paddle-arm and arranged to cross the same at the pivotal point at an acute angle, movable weights within the tube adapted to move to one side or the other of the said pivotal point for the purposes explained, said paddlearm adapted to approach the shaft, a catch adapted to pass behind the paddle-arm when the latter bears against the shaft, a treadle within the boat for shifting the catch in one direction and a spring for moving the catch in the opposite direction substantially as set forth and for the purposes explained.

15. In a boat-rowing mechanism a shaft C journaled on the side of the boat, arms D D depending therefrom, the paddle-arm F pivoted between them, the tube I attached to the said paddle-arm in substantially the relation shown, movable weights therein, a spring in the region of the shaft for swinging the paddle-arm at certain times, a shiftable catch for locking the paddle-arm in a fixed position, a treadle for shifting the said catch to release said arm, a spring for returning the catch to lock the said arm, and a crank for operating the shaft, said crank adapted to be shifted upon its support for the purposes explained.

In ltestimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL R. SIIEEN.

Witnesses:

FRANK T. MILLER, JOSEPH STOREY.

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